Improvement in camp-chest



3SheetsSheet 2.

B. M. DESCOMTES.

CAMP-CHEST.

nted June 26, 1877.

N. PETERS, FHOTO-LITHOGEIIAPHEJL WASHINGTON. D C,

3 Sheets-Sheet 3. B. M. DESCOMTES.

. I CAMP-CHEST. No. 19:23:89. Patented June 26,1877.

N. PET ERS. PHOTO- UTMQGRAPHEE, WASHINGTON. u C

BATHILDE MARIE DESGOMTES, OF PARIS, FRANCE.

IMPFROVEMENT IN CAMP-CHEST.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. H92, 189, dated June 26, 1877; application filed November 13, 1876.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BATHILDE MARIE DES- GoMTEs, .of Paris, in the French Republic, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Camp-Chests, of which the following is a specification:

The object of .my invention is to combine, within the small compass of a camp-chest, a tent, and its appurtenances, a table, astool, a bed, a trunk for clothing, and other necessary camping effects generally used by officers in the field, or for othercamping purposes, as fully described hereinafter, and illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a perspective view of the camp chest; Fig. 2, a top-plan view, showing the chest folded out. Figs. 3 and 4 represent front and side elevations of the metallic braces of the chest and their attachments. Figs. 3 and 4 are similar views of the same, showing a modification of construction adapted to hold permanently one side of the beds slats to fold the same Within the chest. Fig. 6 is an under side view of the table. Fig. 7 is a per-. spective view, showing the arrangement and construction of the legs or supports to said table. Fig. 7 is an under sideview of a stool or table, showing a modified locking device to lock the supports thereto. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the sectional tent-pole opened out. Fig. 9 represents the tent-pole folded. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the hinged sectional ridge-pole for the tent. Fig. 11 are similar views of the hinged sectional side supports or poles of the tent; and Fig. 12 is a perspective view of all the parts to support the tent in position, the tent being shown by dotted lines.

Similar letters of reference are employed in all the drawings to indicate corresponding parts wherever they may occur.

Ais the camp-chest strengthened on the ouside and inside by means of metallic bands 0. and corner-pieces a and is provided with a hinged slotted strap, ta which fits over a staple, a, to permit the locking of the chest by means of a padlock or, if preferred, theusual chest or trunk lock may be employed. Each end of the chest has a handle pivoted thereto in any usual or preferred manner. Two strips, to", are fixed to the under side of the chest to raise it off the ground, the back of the chest having a similar strip, and for the same purpose when the chest is to .ed out, as fully shown by Fig.1, Sheet 1 lhtstrengthening-bands a, of the front A ar a lid I A of the chest form sockets a at the outer faces thereof, to receive the studs or fastening-lugs of the side pieces of the camp-bed, as more fully described hereafter. Each of these strengthening-bands a may be made of a double band, inclosing the front side A, the bottom A, the back A and the lid A the two bands being hinged together at (1?, so as to permit the folding out of the chest, which, when so folded out, will be of a width equal to the height and width combined, as plainly shown by Fig. 2, Sheet 1, and to this end it became necessary to hinge the back and bottom of the chest together instead of the top and back, as is usual. The chest when thus folded out forms a firm support for the camp-bed, as will be presently explained.

a is a longitudinal partition, about one-half as high as the clear height of the interior of the chest, forming the compartment for the reception of the table and its supports, the stool, bed-braces, bedd trunk, and other camping utensils. Tho .hest may be still further subdivided into two or more compartments, though I prefer this arrangement as giving most room within a limited compass, the chest as constructed being only thirtytwo inches long by about sixteen inches in width, forming, w en folded out, a square of thirty-two inch s, giving a clear space for the bed of abc 1t thirty inches in width.

Of course, I do not sh to limit myself to these dimensions, as the chest ma be made of any desired size, but for army purposes where bulk is not desirable the above dimens ons have been found to answer the best.

The ends of the chest are formed of two halves, the lower half being fixed and the- ,chest when folded out, and the bed in position thereon. The upper movable sections A of the ends of the chest are each provided with a fixed and a sliding bolt, :1 a", respectnear the bottom A have a projecting ledge or shelf, a similar shelves being fixed to the lower fixed end sections, upon which shelves the folded table-top is laid to form a lower longitudinal compartment for the reception of the table-supports, the stool and its supports,

the bed-braces, and other camping utensils,

to isolate them from the bed and bedding and clothing, or similar articles that may be placed above such table-top.

a. are two brace-rods, turning in sockets a formed on the hands a on the inner front A of the chest, the rods being pivoted one above the other to the two bands, the lower one folding under the socket of the upper rod,and is held in place by a hooked projection, a, the upper rod being also held in position, when folded, by a similar projection formed on the opposite band. The hooked projection 11., in which the upper rod is held folded, serves also as a stop to prevent the removal or accidenta1 displacement of the lower rod 0., while such displacement of the upper rod is prevented by a shoulder or projection, (1. formed on one of the hands (1. Thus the rods a are folded to the inner front A of thechest in opposite directions.

The outer end of each rod has a nicked or hooked head to fit into sockets a formed in the hands a on the under side of the lid A to hold the brace-rods firmly in position to brace the chest when folded out, and prevent its closing by the weight of the occupant of the camp-bed above, the rods being sufliciently below said bed to prevent its coming in contact therewith when depressed, to inconvenience the occupant.

The bands at on the outer front A of the.

chest are provided with rings or projecting ears carrying chains a, to secure the chest upon the backs of pack animals. These projecting ears may be made removable by means of a bolt or bolts, so that they may be taken 011' when transported in wagons, the bolt or bolts being replaced in their holes to close them against dirt while the eyes or loops are carried inside of the chest.

The hands a at those points where the sockets a. 0. the hooks to, the shoulder a, and the loop or eye a are formed thereon, are by preference reinforced by an additional thickness of metal to give a firmer bearing to those parts.

The construction and arrangement of the parts just described are plainly illustrated by Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4, Sheet 1, of the drawings.

a" a represent four straps, secured to the back A of the chest on opposite sides of its upper corners, for the purpose of buckling the tent and its appurtenances to the top of the chest by means of the buckles a, secured to the front A of the chest, the ends of the tent overlapping the sides of the chest, and, being secured by the straps and buckles a a, prevent any of the poles for such tent from slipping out or being pulled out.

The top of the chest may also be upholstered, if desired, to form a settee.

I will now proceed to describe the campbed, table-stool, and the tent and its accessories, which are all particularly constructed to be combined with or held upon or within the camp-chest, andto that effect.

B is the camp-bed, consisting of any suitable fabric, attached or tacked to two side pieces. These side pieces are made in three sections, hinged together so as to permit of their being folded together. The lower or foot-end section b folding over the central section b and the upper or head section b folding over the two others. To permit this Iemploy a double-hinged strap, b slightly longer than the thickness of the side pieces, the bed when so folded being strapped together by means of the straps and buckles 11* b secured to the bed, and one of the sidepieces, respectively, as shown in Fig. 5, Sheet 3, where the double-bin ged straps b are also plainly shown. The upper ends of the central side pieces b and the lower ends of the upper or head side pieces I) are beveled outward and inward, respectively, as shown at b so as to hold the head section of the bed in an inclined position. (See Fig. 5, Sheet 2.)

The center side pieces b are each provided with two hooked feet or studs, b which serve to lock the bed firmly in position upon the chest by placing them into the sockets a of the bands a,'and pushing the hooked portion into a recess formed for the purpose in the walls of the chest, as shown by dotted lines, Fig. 5, the supports being shown in full lines, Fig. 5*, Sheet 3.

The bed is stretched by means of crosspieces I), slipped through the looped ends of the fabric, and resting in recesses formed in the sides of the head and foot side pieces b b. To facilitate the mounting of these crosspieces 12 one of the recesses is slotted, as shown by detached view, Fig. 5, Sheet 2.

By this arrangement the bed may be readily placed in position or taken down. Instead of making the bed removable one of the center side-pieces, b, may be bolted to the lid of the chest in brackets b formed on bands a, the other-side piece 12 being removably-locked in similar brackets formed on bands 0. of the front wall of the chest, the horizontal part of said brackets being slotted to receive the enlarged head of the studs b fixed to said sidepiece. The bed may thus be folded up and strapped, remaining attached to the under side of the lid of the chest, as fully shown by Figs. 3 and 4 Sheet 3. In this arrangement the brace-rods a must be lower down in the chest and are, therefore, hinged to the partition a against which they fold, their outer nicked ends restingfiin' slots b formed in the hands a of the lid below the bracketsb U is the table-top, made in twopartshin ged together'at 0. The'under' side of this table-top has four recesses, c for the'reception of the feet orsupportsf D, and is provided with a pivoted' locking-lever, c, and locking-latches 0 to lock the feet or'supports Dto the'top'G. The stop-pin 0 having an enlarged head, serves as an additional support as well as a stop tothe' lever c 'to hold it in itsproper position. i v

The supportsto' the table-top consist of six standards, dd, four of which are" provided with slotted metallic plates d 'at their upper ends, forming hooks'or catches'for the locking lever and latches c 0 The standards d are slightly longer than the'sta'ndards al the difference in length being equal to the depth of the recesses, so that when the top is locked to the supports it will rest upon all of them. These standards or supports" are arranged in pairs as follows: A standard, d, is connected by means of two cross-pieces, 1 to astandard, d this pair being hinged at or near their upper and lower ends to a standard, (1, of the central or second pair, which is formed of two standards, d, the third pair being arranged like the'first and hinged to the other standard d of the middle pair, so that when forming a square the four standards d, having the slot ted metallic plates 6?, will occupy the four corners thereof to fit into the recesses c on the underside of' the table-top.

When the table-top rests upon its supports, the standards (1 of the series are'locked in'position by means of the lever 0 and the standards d by means of the latches c aswill be readily understood by reference to Figs. 6 and 7, Sheet 2.

The table-top C is so constructed with reference to the chest A as to fit within said chest, when the two sections of the top are folded together, and rest upon the ledges a as already described, to form a compartment below the table-top to receive its supports, the

camp-stool, and tent-pole.

The camp-stool is arranged like the table, or both the table and camp-stool may have their supports locked in position by means of a four armed or branched locking-lever, c pivoted to the under side of the table-top or camp-stool, as shown by Fig. 7 Sheet 3.

Although I prefer the construction of campstool above referred to, any other folding stool adapted to be held within the compartment formed by the table-top may be employed.

Figs. 8, 9, 10, and 11, Sheet 2, and Fig. 12, Sheet 3, illustrate the construction and arrangement of the tent and its supports.

E is the main pole, formed in sections E E E provided at its lower end-section with spikes e, to plant the pole in the ground. These sections may be made independent of each other, and may be connected together by means of sleeves, havin g rectangular slots, in which moves a" pin, and by's'im'ply introducing one section carrying the pin into the sleeve of the other section, and giving the former'a half turn to bring the" pin into the horizontal part of the slot, the two may be firmlylocked in position, as shownby as. tached' view, Fig. 8, Sheet 2; I prefer, however, both for convenience of handling and transporting, to hinge the three'sections' togetherand lock them in position, by means of hinged slotted plates- 6 and'locking-bolts thus, when unfolded, it is desired relocates sectionsone to the other, the=slotted plate'e is'turned' down over the locking-bolt c and; the latter being" pivoted, is turned around so that its'enlarged head will rest o'na line with; but below, thesl'ot of the hinged plate 0 as may be readily understood by reference to the drawings. 7

Each section is provided-with clothes=hook s e hinged thereto so as to be folded within the recesses 6 formed in such sections, so as toleave no projections when the pole E- is folded together.

The's' ection 'E atitsnpper end, has asnii circular recess and aprojecting' pin or stud, f, fitting into a; hole, f, formed centrally in the ridge-pole F,;.which is also made" in two sections,v hinged togetheratf This section 11 has, at a proper distance'from' its upper end, two longitudinal'slots, g, covered by metallic plates, the slot in thesectio'n being a little longer than that in the plate, to fornr a recess for the reception of'the hooked ends of the tie or brace rodsg liin ged" to the sectional hinged side supports or wall plates G ,;so as to'fornra tent havin g a triangular or gable roof, as plainly'shown in Fig. 12; The side supports or wall-platesGr are held inposition under the tent by slipping them into loops 9, of leather or canvas, sewed to the tent.

The tent is also provided with a window or air-opening, H, on both sides thereof, which is held open by a prop or support, attached at one end by means of a loop and ring to the canvas of said opening, the other end of the support being made smaller to form a bearing, and rests in an opening made for this purpose in the canvas of the tent. A cord, k attached to the air-opening, and passing through an aperture, h in the tent, carries a ring, it, and serves the purpose of closing such airopening by withdrawing the support, and booking the ring over the hook h, fixed to the tent near the side supports, as plainly shown by Fig. 12, Sheet 3.

The front of the tent overlaps and is closed by means of a series of looped cords and latches.

The section E of the pole E is provided with a recess, 6 formed in its lower part, to receive the locking-bolt e of the section E when the sections are folded together, as shown by Figs. 8 and 9, Sheet 2.

It will be obvious that by this construction of pole various elevations may be given to the tent, as circumstances in the field may require.

The construction of tent-pole, with reference to the chest A, is such as to permit of its being readily folded Within the compartment formed by the table-top above referred to, and, being aware that the construction of a sectional tent-pole is not new, I do not wish to claim such broadly.

All the parts may thus be folded in a small compass, the length of the sections being regulated according to that of the chest or itsinterior compartment. Thus with a compartment of thirty-two inches in length, a tent having a clear height of eight feet can be packed therein. and of a clear width above of about five feet four inches between the lateral supports. All these parts may be carried inside the chest, or wrapped in the tent, and strapped to the top of said chest, as already explained.

Having now I claim is- 1. A camp-chest formed in two sections, one of which is composed of the lid and back, and the other of the bottom, front, and ends, the two sections being hinged together, substantially as described, the locking-strap M. the straps to a" a a), and the buckles a, all

described my invention, what combined and operating substantially as and for the purposes specified.

2. The chest A and strengthening-bands a, having sockets a a, the hinged brace-rods a in combination with a sectional hinged camp bed, substantially as described, for the purpose specified.

3. The camp-chest A, having partition a and the hinged sectional ends, substantially as described, for the purpose specified.

4. The camp-chest A, having partition a and hinged sectional ends, to form a compartment, the ledges or shelves a and bands a, in combination with a folding table-top, to form a second and separate compartment, substantially as described.

5. The camp-chest A, having strengtheningbands ainside and outside,in combination with the detachable loops or staples and chains a, substantially as described, for the purpose specified.

6. A sectional hinged camp-bed, the sidepieces of which are provided with hooked studs b", and so constructed as to fold the sections together by means of the double hinged straps b in use hold the head section thereof in an inclined position, in combination with the campchest having sockets a, substantially as de scribed, for the purpose specified.

7. A folding-table, consisting of two leaves hinged together, and provided on their under side with recesses 0 a locking-lever or locking lever and latches, in combination with the hinged sectional supports, and the slotted locking-plates, and the camp-chest, provided with ledges or shelves a to adapt the table, when folded, to form a compartment within the chest for the reception of the supports for such table, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing specification I have hereunto set my hand this 3d day of June, 1876.

B. M. nnscoMrtrEs.

Witnesses G. W. GIRARD, HENRI GUILLAUME.

when the bed is not in use, and when 

